U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has canceled planned military strikes against Iran, saying the decision was made after progress toward a potential agreement aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that Iran and several Middle Eastern countries had urged the United States to delay military action, arguing that the outlines of a deal had already been established and could be finalized quickly.

According to Trump, the proposed agreement would include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route, and measures to address what he described as Iran's nuclear threat. He said he agreed to suspend the planned strikes in anticipation of a rapid diplomatic breakthrough.

"I have been asked by Iran, and other countries in the Middle East, to hold off on any attack," Trump wrote, adding that the decision was made "for the future benefit of the world and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran."

The announcement came amid reports from U.S. media that Washington had been considering a new wave of strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure over the weekend as part of an effort to increase pressure on Tehran. Trump had earlier warned that the U.S. military was "locked and loaded," threatening military action on a scale "not seen since World War II" if diplomacy failed.

Earlier on Saturday, Iran accused the United States of escalating regional tensions and warned that any country cooperating with a potential U.S. attack would face serious consequences. Tehran said states assisting Washington could be "engulfed by the flames of war," underscoring the heightened risks of a broader regional conflict.

The U.S. government also issued a security alert advising American citizens across the Middle East to remain vigilant and prepare for possible travel disruptions in the event of further escalation. The advisory warned of potential flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and deteriorating security conditions throughout the region.

Despite Trump's optimistic assessment, Iranian officials had not publicly confirmed the existence of any agreement or endorsed the framework outlined by the U.S. president as of Saturday evening. Tehran has yet to issue an official response to Trump's latest remarks, leaving uncertainty over whether negotiations have reached the stage described by Washington.

The reported pause in military action follows intensive diplomatic contacts involving several regional states, with Gulf leaders reportedly encouraging Washington to allow negotiations to continue rather than risk a wider military confrontation. According to U.S. officials cited by multiple media outlets, diplomacy remains fragile and no final agreement has been concluded, although discussions are continuing behind the scenes.

The latest developments mark another dramatic turn in the months-long standoff between the United States and Iran, with both sides balancing military pressure against diplomatic engagement as regional and international actors seek to prevent further escalation. While Trump's announcement has raised hopes of renewed negotiations, the absence of confirmation from Tehran means the prospect of a lasting agreement remains uncertain. (ILKHA)